8 Unique Culinary Experiences in Atlanta

Sometimes you're looking for something out of the ordinary. You're in Atlanta; you don't have to look far. These local restaurants offer up exciting, interesting and unique culinary experiences that are a break from the norm — and a real delight.

Put your faith — and meal — in the skilled hands of chef-owner Tomohiro Naito (pictured above) at this Buckhead sushi heavyweight, and you're in for a treat. Taking individual preferences and tastes into account, he designs an unpredictable but always delightful Japanese menu out of whatever's freshest or most exciting (Prices vary; 404-835-2708).

Every Friday and Saturday, this Sandy Springs Italian spot offers two seatings (6:30 and 8:30 PM) for this fun event. The Supper Club at the chef's table can accommodate six to 10 people, and Chef Linda Harrell chats with diners as she prepares a four-course seasonal menu. Everything starts off with bar manager Jonathan Turner preparing cocktails tableside ($59 per person; 404-250- 8988).

Grab a front row for a great view of all the action at Richard Blais' Midtown eatery. The open kitchen takes center stage for a three-course meal that starts with family-style appetizers before moving into a main course with shared sauces and sides. Dessert's either from the restaurant's current dessert menu, or you can build your own liquid-nitrogen sundae. The experience is available for between four to 12 people ($75 per person; 678-904-2372).

Want to perfect your 'cue? D.B.A. Barbecue owner Matt Coggin hosts a sauce-making class the final Wednesday of every month. The evening kicks off with cocktails or beer and snacks as Coggin walks attendees through different sauce styles, flavors and preferences. Everyone gets to tailor their sauce by combining dozens of bases, vinegars, spices, herbs and other ingredients — then test it out on a platter of chicken wings, ribs, pulled pork, sides and more. Newly minted sauce pros leave with a quart of sauce, a gift certificate for a return visit…and a full belly ($40 for one person, $70 for two, $130 for four; 404-249-5000).

Cozy? Intimate? Yes, and also delicious. Make a reservation for either two or four at No. 246's chef's counter (pictured above), and you're given a view into chef Drew Belline's Italian-inspired kitchen. Belline chats diners up as he walks them through a specially prepared five-course menu of meats, pastas and vegetables which wraps with rich desserts — and the whole meal can work around any dietary restrictions too ($50 per person; 678-399-8246).

Chef Michale Bologna turns out great Italian food at this restaurant way up in Woodstock, but he also loves to share his knowledge. The restaurant schedules events, chef's table dinners and workshops regularly — check the calendar to sign up for a handmade pasta-making class, for instance, or learn to create fresh mozzarella cheese (Prices vary; 770-924-9133).

Not everyone can afford to take an international trip every month. No worries! Hook up with the Atlanta-based nonprofit Go Eat Give, which is dedicated to connecting Atlanta diners with international cultures. The organization's founder, travel and food writer Sucheta Rawal, hosts monthly dinners at global restaurants around the metro area — Cuban, Nigerian, Trinidadian, Indian and more — for an evening of socializing, guest speakers, music, cultural discussion and more (Prices vary; 678-744-8306).

This Sandy Springs pub offers a "flavor tripping" experience every few months. What's flavor tripping? Rub a miracle berry on your tongue, and it confuses your taste buds and brain for a while. (Don't worry! It's just when it comes to the way you process taste sensations, nothing else.) Sour things taste sweet, funky thing taste delightful, that sort of thing. The restaurant will provide small plates, drinks and more ($20; 404-303-8423).